Community Forums

mrk · 07-03-2015, 10:35 PM

I have a 1999 Tradewinds. While removing, recharging, and eventually replacing my four coach batteries, I noticed that a clicking sound was coming from the battery interconnect relay. I touched it, and it was hot (about 105 degrees).

The coach was not connected to shore power, and the coach batteries were not connected. Only the chassis batteries were in the coach. On occasion, the clicking would cease, yet the relay remained hot.

I've now installed the new coach batteries. There is no clicking, but the relay is still hot. I then connected shore power, and still no clicking, but the relay remains hot.

Is the relay supposed to be hot all the time? Is there a simple way to disconnect it, as it surely is being heated by either the coach or chassis batteries, or both.

mrk · 07-04-2015, 05:42 PM

CLARIFICATIN: After some research, I think I've mis-stated what part is getting hot. It is actually the shiny, cylindrical interconnect switch, the switch with the chassis battery connected to the left side and the coach batteries connected to the right side. There are two smaller wires that I believe go to the relay, or rather, to the one-amp fuse to the right of the relay. Both the relay and fuse are between the bolts labeled JP1 and JP3.
Because the wires appeared to go to the fuse, I pulled it out.. The diode light came on, and I understand this to mean that the circuit was active/in-use. The interconnect started to cool. That's a good thing. When I reinserted the fuse, the relay clicked, and the interconnect started to heat up again, so I pulled the fuse out again.
Assuming this fuse incapacitate the relay, does the relay serve any other function, such as an engine starting function? Can I leave the fuse out, or will I find another issue related to it?
Since the relay engages and disengages when powered or not powered, I don't think the relay is my problem. Can anybody suggest what might be causing the circuit to be Hot all the time?

wb7auk · 07-04-2015, 06:34 PM

Sounds like the emergency start boost control line is shorted or the switch is bad.
This relay is not a 100% duty cycle relay the reason it is getting hot.
I attached a pic of the power sys board.

Capt. Flipper · 07-04-2015, 07:08 PM

A couple facts that may help.

105F is not hot for electrical components, just uncomfortable to hold.
The interconnect solenoid is a continuous duty device, so it will get warm. That is the way it's supposed to work. It's purpose is to assure charging of both chassis and house batteries while on shore power, generator power or engine alternator power and also enable a boost function to start the engine if the chassis battery is low.

Unless your batteries are not being properly charged, I don't think you have a problem. If you have no charging and the solenoid is warm, look to a bad solenoid (dirty internal contacts),

Hope this helps.

wb7auk · 07-04-2015, 07:26 PM

From the factor is was a continuous duty but was it replaced at some point?
My relay does not even get warm.
Without the house batteries there is no power transfer thru the relay contacts to speak of.
The relay coil may have a problem in the coil causing it to heat.

YC1 · 07-04-2015, 07:48 PM

If you have a solar panel and someone has installed a bi directional control device it may stay energized. Even if it does not have a solar panel a defective bi-directional device could keep the solenoid on.

Or someone may have modified it to stay on.

In any case, they will run warm to hot if run all the time. Some get so hot you cannot touch them.

M&EM · 07-04-2015, 10:25 PM

Mine is on pretty much 100% on due to solar panels and/or shore power at night for past 12 years. Always is almost too hot to touch. Solenoid contacts became resistive after about 10 years. Exact replacement also runs just as hot.

Nature of the beast!

chboone · 07-05-2015, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrk

I have a 1999 Tradewinds. While removing, recharging, and eventually replacing my four coach batteries, I noticed that a clicking sound was coming from the battery interconnect relay. I touched it, and it was hot (about 105 degrees).

The coach was not connected to shore power, and the coach batteries were not connected. Only the chassis batteries were in the coach. On occasion, the clicking would cease, yet the relay remained hot.

I've now installed the new coach batteries. There is no clicking, but the relay is still hot. I then connected shore power, and still no clicking, but the relay remains hot.

Is the relay supposed to be hot all the time? Is there a simple way to disconnect it, as it surely is being heated by either the coach or chassis batteries, or both.

Here is the troubleshooting procedure for the RV Customs 12V Distribution Board. The interconnect relay (Shiny one) is a continuous duty relay. Your board should be the 111979A. You can also contact RV Custom Products for assistance, they are very helpful.
BTW, my interconnect relay is also energized most of the time because of my 520 watts of solar. It does get warm will need to check it with the IR gun to see what temp it is.